Jetblue To Add Flights From N.y.

As some large airlines scale back, discount carrier jetBlue Airways said it will expand its flights from New York to Florida, including West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

JetBlue Airways said it plans to add up to 19 flights from JFK International Airport to five Florida cities this winter.

"This represents growth. Last winter we flew to Fort Lauderdale up to 12 flights a day. This winter we'll fly up to 16 a day at the peak of the season," said Fiona Morrisson, spokeswoman for jetBlue. In West Palm Beach, jetBlue plans eight flights compared with five last winter.

The airline, one of the few U.S. carriers to report a first-quarter profit, will increase its schedule to as many as 42 daily departures from New York to Florida from November to April. Last winter, jetBlue's Florida schedule from JFK peaked at 30 departures a day.

On Monday, jetBlue said passenger traffic in June increased 110 percent from a year ago on a capacity increase of 98 percent.

The airline's strategy is to offer passengers both luxury and low fares, which has attracted many business travelers. Its Airbus A320 aircraft have leather seats equipped with satellite television.

JetBlue's regular fares between JFK and all five cities range from a 14-day advance purchase fare of $84 each way to a last-minute buy of $229 each way.

Since launching operations in February 2000, the airline has served nearly seven million passengers. JetBlue operates a fleet of 27 new Airbus A320 aircraft and is scheduled to take delivery of another nine new A320s by the end of 2002.

Shares of the Kew Gardens, N.Y.-based jetBlue closed Wednesday at 41.71, down $1.49.

Marcia Heroux Pounds can be reached at mpounds@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6650.